From the Naperville Sun, this morning:
Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti announced this morning that Planned Parenthood did not commit any crimes while gaining approval for its new Aurora clinic under a subsidiary name....
Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area received approval to build its new 22,000-square-foot facility on East New York Street under the name Gemini Office Development, which has led anti-abortion activists to accuse the organization of deception and fraud. The city hired two lawyers to conduct independent investigations into the approval and permitting processes, and Barsanti reviewed the reports from both attorneys.Barsanti said his office has no jurisdiction over city ordinances, land use or zoning, and he offered no opinion on those matters. He considers the review to be closed, and has returned all documents to the city of Aurora.
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. at City Hall to discuss Barsanti's findings and the reports from attorneys Phillip A. Luetkehans and Richard Martens. The reports will be released to the media at that time.
Planned Parenthood had hoped to open the health center Sept. 18, but the clinic's temporary occupancy permit expired Sept. 17. It cannot open until after the city's investigation is complete.
Keep your powder dry....
[HT: reader Deborah H.]
UPDATE, 12p: From the Chicago Tribune:
Barsanti said he could not advise Aurora on how to interpret city ordinances or the zoning code."I offer no opinions on matters of which I have no authority or jurisdiction," Barsanti said.
UPDATE, 12:11p: Misleading MSM headline of the day:
Quite simply, Planned Parenthood didn't apply for any clinic permit.
UPDATE, 1:27p: See Barsanti press release below.
[HT for that: reader ChicagoPlow]
Click to see pdf view:
Comments:
"Barsanti said his office has no jurisdiction over city ordinances, land use or zoning, and he offered no opinion on those matters. He considers the review to be closed, and has returned all documents to the city of Aurora."
Isn't this what the review by him was for? It took him a week to announce that he can't get involved???
I'm confused!
Posted by: Laura K. at October 1, 2007 11:57 AMYes, agree. Stay posted.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at October 1, 2007 11:58 AMThere are two issues, first did they commit a crime they can be prosecuted for. Answer NO. Second, are they entitled to a permit. Answer: Pending.
He's not saying he can't get involved, he's saying there was no crime committed.
"Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti announced this morning that Planned Parenthood did not commit any crimes while gaining approval for its new Aurora clinic under a subsidiary name."
Posted by: Hal at October 1, 2007 11:59 AMHal,
Thanks for trying to clear that up for me, but the two paragraphs (mine & yours) seem to contradict each other. Sorry, but still confused!
Posted by: Laura K. at October 1, 2007 12:06 PMGood point, Jill...I don't recall seeing PP's name on anything!!!
Posted by: Laura K. at October 1, 2007 12:15 PMAs I understand it, he has no jurisdiction or opinion on whether theyt get the permit, whether the zoning laws permit the clinic to open, etc. He has the opinion that a crime was not committed in their attempts to get a permit. You can be denied a permit for reasons other than criminal activity, he's just saying "no crime, but the city will have to sort out whether they open or not."
Posted by: Hal at October 1, 2007 12:16 PMHal, thanks for your input. Appreciate the knowledge and integrity.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at October 1, 2007 12:18 PMHal,
Thanks! I'm coming out of the fog now!!!
Mr. Barsanti's report strengthens the city's hand, saying he (state's attorney office) "has no jurisdiction over city ordinances, land use or zoning". In addition to Judge Norgle upholding the city's right to conduct the investigation, we know for certain that there is no impediment from the state's attorney's office that would prohibit Aurora from exercising their rights. In addition, this opinion leaves the zoning issue wide open. Even though the matter of criminality has been disposed up, this still does not mean the city is obligated in any way shape or form to grant final occupancy.
Posted by: Jerry Nickels at October 1, 2007 12:42 PMHal and Jerry, thanks for clearing things up for me. I had the same confusion that Laura K had.
Posted by: Carrie at October 1, 2007 12:49 PMAre you in law or something like that, Hal?
Posted by: Bobby Bambino at October 1, 2007 12:51 PMYep. try not to hold it against me.
Posted by: Hal at October 1, 2007 1:30 PMhehe, well, my dad was a lawyer (now a magistrate) so you're coo with me, dawwwg!
Posted by: Bobby Bambino at October 1, 2007 1:51 PMJerry, great post. Great info. Thanks.
Posted by: Jill Stanek at October 1, 2007 2:15 PMThis is not good, now the city board/mayor are just going to say "ah, what the heck, no crimes were commited, let the clinic open". Not good.
Posted by: jasper at October 1, 2007 2:59 PMI agree with Jasper. (except the "not good" part)
Posted by: Hal at October 1, 2007 3:33 PMSeems like the question now is whether the mayor has unilateral power to decide regarding conformance to city ordinances and zoning codes. Who says whether he has overreached his authority?
Posted by: D Miller at October 1, 2007 11:00 PM
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.